Peng began playing at age eight when an uncle (a famous tennis coach in China and the only other family member who plays tennis) introduced her to the game.[2] She favors hard courts and her double-handed forehand (though her backhand is the better side). Her father Peng Jijun is a police officer and her mother is Zhang Bing.[citation needed] At age 13, Peng was admitted to a hospital for heart surgery to repair a defect,[3] a situation which she explained in the "Impossible is Nothing" campaign from Adidas.[citation needed]

In 2001, at the beginning of June, aged just fifteen years and four months, she won her first singles title at Baotou, a $10,000 International Tennis Federation ("ITF") tournament, after entering as a wildcard, and crushing highly capable countrywoman Sun Tiantian 6–1, 6–4 in the semi-final. In July, she won her second $10,000 tournament of the year (although she was assisted in the final by the retirement of her opponent Liu Nannan after just one game was played, and in the following week's tournament she lost to Liu in the semi-final). Then in October she debuted on the WTA Tour at Shanghai as a wildcard, losing in the first round to Tamarine Tanasugarn.

In February 2002, Peng won her third $10,000 ITF singles title in the space of nine months at Mumbai, defeating American Sunitha Rao in the final. The following week, she extended her match-winning streak to twelve by coming through qualifying to reach the final of a $25,000 tournament at New Delhi, with wins over Japanese Aiko Nakamura and Austrian Sybille Bammer, before losing in the championship match to Eva Birnerová. In July, she succeeded in qualifying for the main draw of a $50,000 tournament at Lexington; but further success proved elusive, and after a second successive first-round main draw defeat in early August she took nearly seven months off from competition at singles events, ending the year world-ranked just 357.

It was not until April 2003 that Peng next won a match; but then she proceeded to put in her career-best performance, coming through qualifying to win her first $25,000 title at Jackson, with match wins against Rika Fujiwara, Tatiana Golovin and Christina Wheeler among others. After disappointing summer results, she started to play more consistently again towards the end of the year; and in December, she won her first $50,000 event, and the fifth ITF title of her young career, at Changsha, with victories over Yuka Yoshida, Yan Zi and Zheng Jie, salvaging her year-end ranking, which had improved only slightly overall to 326, and heralding her coming breakthrough the following year.

With the season's excellent results propelling her rapidly upwards in the rankings, she gained direct entry into her first Grand Slam main draw at Wimbledon (though without match-wins to show for it), but narrowly missed the cut at the US Open, losing a close battle in the first round of qualifying to Russian Anastasia Rodionova. But the emerging Chinese star persisted in trying her hand at other WTA Tour events, and worked her way to considerable success at Cincinnati in August, defeating some high-class opponents in Stéphanie Foretz, Jill Craybas and Alina Jidkova to reach her first WTA Tour quarter-final, before losing to a Top 20 player, Vera Zvonareva of Russia. A second quarter-final performance followed at Guangzhou in September, after she virtually blew French star Marion Bartoli off the court for the loss of just one game in Round Two, only to be ousted in turn herself by countrywoman Li Ting.

The year ended on a further high note for Peng, as she won her second $50,000 title and eighth overall career ITF singles title at Shenzhen 2 in November, with impressive victories over her countrywomen Sun Tiantian and Zheng Jie. (She had also reached the semi-final at Shenzhen 1 the previous week, only to lose to recent Guangzhou champion Li Na.) She ended the year world-ranked 73, after a meteoric rise. It was the first time she had finished in the Women's Tennis Association Top 300, let alone the Top 75; and thereafter she was able to bid the ITF events adieu, focussing solely on WTA draws.

In January 2005, Peng came through a tough qualifying draw at Sydney comfortably, and went on to reach her first WTA Tour semifinal. On the way, she upset the no. 2 seed Anastasia Myskina in the second round in straight sets, in addition to defeating Camille Pin, Tzipora Obziler, Denisa Chládková and Mashona Washington, all without dropping a set. In the quarter-final, she was up 6–3 4–2 against Russian star Nadia Petrova, and well on target for another shock straight-sets victory, when Petrova retired. But Alicia Molik was on top form and finally ousted Peng in the semi-final. The following week, at the Australian Open, the Chinese star finally won her first grand slam singles match, defeating Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6–1, 6–2 before being overcome by Venus Williams in Round Two.

An ankle injury in February made her miss several tournaments in February and March. On her return to competition in April, she lost two successive titanic second-round tussles to high-class players, namely Vera Zvonareva and Justine Henin-Hardenne, each match running to three close sets. At Strasbourg in May, she reached another WTA quarter-final, with wins over Tamarine Tanasugarn and brilliant young French talent Tatiana Golovin, before losing in three sets to Marta Domachowska of Poland. At the French Open, she also took Lindsay Davenport into a deciding set in their second-round match.

In August, she topped all her previous achievements by reaching her first WTA Tour Tier I semifinal at San Diego, posting upsets over then World Number 6 Elena Dementieva, World Number 26 Dinara Safina and World Number 7 Kim Clijsters, all in straight sets. Her victory over Kim Clijsters, who was on her way back to being World No. 1 after only a few months back on the tour following injury, ended the Belgian's 26–consecutive-match-winning streak on hard courts. Following the match, Kim told reporters that Peng had the potential to become a top 3 tennis player. Although an inspired Mary Pierce had her way in the semi-final, Peng's outstanding performance in this tournament helped her to her career-best singles ranking (31st) on August 15, 2005, which was also the highest ever singles ranking achieved by any Chinese women's tennis player, improving on the standard set by Li Na, who peaked at 33 earlier the same year (though she may yet ascend to new heights).

By September 2005, Peng ranked among the top 5 female tennis players across the whole Asian continent. That month, she reached two further WTA quarter-finals, at Beijing and (for the second year running) Guangzhou, where she retired in her quarter-final match against teenaged emerging star Victoria Azarenka after losing the first set by a break. This proved to be her last match of the year; and without being able to defend the points won at Shenzhen the previous November, she found her year-end ranking settling to 35.

The year 2006 began disappointingly for Peng. She lost her first-round ties at Sydney (a tough draw against Ana Ivanovic) and the Australian Open, then withdrew from subsequent tournaments with sickness. As of March 4, she was yet to play again; and the loss of her previous year's ranking points at Sydney and the Australian Open had conspired to displace her to 60th in the world rankings, a moderate decline that cannot reasonably be expected to be irreversible, in view of the tremendous promise she has shown. She has since proven this promise in 2006, reaching the semi-finals of a Tier IV tournament in Prague, a final in a Tier III tournament in Strasbourg, third round showing at Wimbledon (including a victory over a top 20 player in Shahar Pe'er, 6–4 7–6) and finally a successful continuation of her Fed Cup career, winning both her ties against Indonesia.

2007 was slightly more successful for Peng than her previous year as she finished ranked within the world's top 50.

Peng began her year by qualifying for the Sydney tournament and reaching the second round of the Australian Open for the second time, losing a tight match to top ten player Swiss Patty Schnyder.

Peng Shuai at the 2007 Australian Open.

In early February she reached the semi-finals of the Tier 3 Pattaya Open, losing to Sybille Bammer of Austria, she also lost to Bammer in the third round of her next event in Indian Wells.

Peng reached the third round of Tier 1 events in Toronto, Berlin, Indian Wells and Charleston recording a win over the previous year's finalist Patty Schnyder.

Peng was forced to retire from her tightly contested third round match in Berlin against world number 6 Jelena Janković and returned to competitive play at Wimbledon, losing in straight sets to qualifier Hana Šromová. She once again failed to get past the first round of the US Open, losing in three sets to a resurgent Flavia Pennetta.

At the 2007 China Open, Peng beat former World Number 1 and 5 time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis in the final match of her professional career, winning 7–5, 6–1. Hingis retired 6 weeks later. She also beat 3rd seed Amélie Mauresmo en route to her second semi-final of the year.

In the autumn Peng suffered a surprising loss in Tier 3 Guangzhou to Tzipora Obziler and in the qualification tournament for Luxembourg to former top ten player Alicia Molik. She qualified to the main draw of Zurich before losing in three sets to Marion Bartoli.

Peng finished the year with a 26–21 record in singles, a doubles title in Guangzhou with Yan Zi and one top ten win (against Mauresmo).

On January 4, 2008 Peng, ranked no.45, beat No.1 seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6–1, 6–3 in the semi-finals of the silver group (a competition among all first matches losers) of an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong.

This form was not to last as she then failed to win a match in her next six tournaments, including a first round loss at the Australian Open.

At Strasbourg Peng reached her first quarterfinal of the year and recorded a top ten win when French Marion Bartoli was forced to retire in round 1 while trailing 6–1, 1–0.

In Grand Slam play Peng reached the second round of the French Open and the third round of Wimbledon for he second time in her career, losing third round to Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia despite winning more points. She also reached the second round of the US Open for the first in her career, defeating Greek Eleni Daniilidou 6–1, 6–0 before losing to eventual quarterfinalist Italian Flavia Pennetta in three sets for the second year in a row.

After the US Open her ranking climbed up to number 40, her highest since Wimbledon 2007. Prior to the US Open Peng reached her first singles final since Strasbourg 2006 at Tier IV Forest Hills Tennis Classic before losing in straight sets to Lucie Šafářová.

At the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, Peng was unseeded and defeated US teenager Alexa Glatch in three sets. She fell to No.11 Agnieszka Radwańska in the second round, after a mammoth battle of three and a half hours. Despite saving five match points she eventually lost in three sets. Her 'never say die' attitude won her the admiration of many English fans.

At the 2009 US Open, Peng was unseeded. She defeated Jarmila Groth in straight sets. However, in the next round, she lost to eventual semifinalist, Yanina Wickmayer, also unseeded, in three sets after having a one break lead in the third set.

During the 2009 China Open, after beating qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova 6–2 6–3, Peng went on to beat 2008 China Open champion and former world number 1 Jelena Janković 4–6 7–5 6–2 in a thrilling encounter, after Janković picked up a wrist injury in the latter stages of the match. In the third round Peng came face to face with another former world number 1, Maria Sharapova, which Peng managed to win in straight sets 6–2 6–4. In the quarterfinals, Peng lost to Nadia Petrova, winning the first set 7–65, but then started to feel pains in her leg, losing the next two sets 3–6, 2–6. However, in doubles, Peng partnered with Hsieh Su-wei and won the title, bringing her ranking to a career high of 13. By her good performance at the China Open, her singles ranking rose up to 42 in the world.

Peng then flew to Miami to compete at the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open. She was unseeded and in the first round defeated Vania King 6–4, 1–6, 6–3. In the second round, Peng faced top seed and World No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova. Peng lost to Kuznetsova, defeating her 6–2, 3–6, 6–4. That was the fourth time in her career that she lost in the second round at Miami.

At the 2010 MPS Group Championships held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Peng was unseeded and defeated Taiwanese Chang Kai-chen in the first round 6–4, 6–2 after being 1–4 down in the first set. In the second round, she was defeated by 8th-seed American Melanie Oudin with a score of 6–2, 5–7, 5–7.

Peng then competed at the 2010 Family Circle Cup in Charleston. She defeated Shenay Perry in the opening round 6–3, 2–6, 6–1. She defeated 5th seed Marion Bartoli in the second round. Bartoli retired at 6–2, 6–7, 3–4 to allow Peng to move into the third round, where she defeated 10th seed Elena Vesnina 7–5, 2–6, 6–2. In the quarter-finals, she was defeated by 4th seed Australian Samantha Stosur 6–4, 6–1 despite being up a break 4–2 in the first set.

Peng then received a wild card into the Madrid Masters, a Premier Mandatory tournament. In the first round she was 3–0 up against 10th seed Victoria Azarenka before Azarenka retired due to a right adductor strain. In the second round, Peng was defeated by fellow double-hander Arantxa Parra Santonja 1–6, 7–6, 6–3.

Peng Shuai at the 2010 US Open.

Peng then withdrew from the 2010 French Open and missed the whole of the grass court season due to illness.

In the US Open, Peng advanced to the third round by beating Wilcard Shelby Rogers 6–7, 7–6, 6–3 in the first round and 9th seed Agnieszka Radwańska 2–6, 6–1, 6–4 in the second round. In the third round, Peng withdrew from the tournament before the match with injury, handing Andrea Petkovic a place in the fourth round.

Peng then suffered two first round exits at the 2010 Toray Pan Pacific Open and the 2010 China Open. In Tokyo, she lost to Christina McHale in the first round of qualifying 6–3, 6–2. In the first round of Beijing, where she made the quarterfinals in 2009, Peng lost to Sara Errani 1–6, 6–4, 6–1. This loss caused her to drop to No. 95 in the world.

Unseeded at the 2010 BGL Luxembourg Open, Peng drew top seed and World No. 9 Elena Dementieva in the first round. Peng played a great match and led 5–1 in the second set, but Dementieva launched a comeback and won 7–5, 7–6. This was Peng's last WTA tour match of the 2010 season.

Peng continued her season on the ITF tour with a trophy at the $100,000 ITF event in Taipei played on carpet. Along the way Peng defeated Bojana Jovanovski in the quarter-finals, Tamarine Tanasugarn in the semi-finals and Ayumi Morita in the final.

Peng ended her season representing China in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. She won a gold medal in the team event alongside team-mates Li Na, Yan Zi and Zhang Shuai. In the doubles event she gained a bronze medal with her partner Zi Yan and in the singles event she won another gold medal, defeating Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan 7–5, 6–2.

Peng Shuai kicked off her 2011 season in Auckland, New Zealand, at the 2011 ASB Classic. She was unseeded and defeated Johanna Larsson in the first round 6–1, 6–3. In the second round she caused a big upset by defeating No. 3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 2–6, 6–4, 6–4 after being a double break down 0–3 in the final set. In the quarterfinals, she defeated British qualifier Heather Watson 6–4, 7–5. Despite playing some of her best tennis in the semifinals, Peng lost to defending champion and No. 2 seed Yanina Wickmayer 3–6, 7–6, 7–5 in 2 hours and 53 minutes.

At the 2011 Australian Open, Peng was unseeded and defeated Kateryna Bondarenko in the first round 2–6, 6–3, 8–6. She then toppled seventh seed Jelena Janković in the second round 7–6, 6–3. She then moved into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career after a 6–1, 3–6, 6–3 win over Japan's Ayumi Morita. In the fourth round, Peng Shuai was defeated in a hard fought match against 12th seed Agnieszka Radwańska 7–5, 3–6, 7–5, despite having two match points at 5–4 in the final set. After her fourth round performance, Peng's ranking rose to No. 40, making her the second highest-ranked Chinese player after Li Na, since Zheng Jie slipped down the rankings after not being able to defend her semifinal points.

Peng's next tournament was the 2011 PTT Pattaya Open. She was seeded 6th and defeated Chan Yung-jan in the first round 7–6, 6–0 and in the second round she defeated Elena Baltacha 2–6, 6–1, 6–4. In the quarterfinals she was narrowly defeated by top seed Vera Zvonareva 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 despite being up 4–3 40–15 in the final set.

Peng then entered the 2011 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. She narrowly missed out on being seeded and defeated Renata Voráčová in the first round 7–5, 6–1. In the second round she defeated compatriot and No.7 seed Li Na for the first time in her career 4–6, 6–3, 6–3. In the third round she came back from 2–5 down in the final set to beat Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecká 6–3, 4–6, 7–5. In the fourth round she battled past 18th seed Nadia Petrova 6–4, 5–7, 6–3. 16th seed Maria Sharapova defeated her 6–2, 5–7, 6–3 in a 2 hour 22 minute quarterfinal match. Peng moved up to No.32 in the world as a result, 1 spot off her career high of 31.

Her next tournament was the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Unseeded, she defeated Gréta Arn in the first round 6–1, 6–2, and followed that up with a win against 20th seed Aravane Rezaï in the second round 6–0, 6–4. She then defeated 11th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6–3, 6–1 in the third round, avenging her loss to the same player at this event the previous year. Peng then fell to 26th seed Alexandra Dulgheru 6–3, 6–4. Peng reached the semifinals of the doubles competition with Shahar Pe'er.

Peng rose to a new career high ranking of No.30 and was seeded 11th at the 2011 Family Circle Cup in Charleston. In the first round she defeated qualifier Sloane Stephens 6–2, 6–1. She then defeated Ayumi Morita 6–2, 6–1 in the second round. In the third round she outlasted 7th seed Nadia Petrova 6–3, 5–7, 6–2 to reach the quarterfinals where she defeated Indian qualifier Sania Mirza 2–6, 6–2, 6–2. Elena Vesnina defeated her in the semifinals 7–6, 6–3. Due to her good performance at Charleston, Peng rose to a new career high of No.29 in the world rankings.

Peng played her final warm-up tournament prior to Roland Garros at the 2011 Brussels Ladies Open as the No.8 seed. In the first round she defeated Kirsten Flipkens 6–0, 1–6, 6–3 and then destroying qualifier Abigail Spears 6–2 6–0 in the second round. In the quarterfinals Peng's good form continued with a 6–2 6–4 defeat of Sofia Arvidsson. In the semifinals Peng secured her first victory over current world no.3 Vera Zvonareva in straight sets 6–3 6–3 to reach her first Premier final and fourth final of her career. In the Final Peng eventually fell to world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki in 3 sets, 6–2 3–6 3–6.

At the 2011 French Open Peng defeated Tamira Paszek of Austria in the first round 6–3 6–2. In the second round she defeated Polona Hercog 7–5, 6–1. In the third round she was up against defending champion Francesca Schiavone losing 6–3, 1–2 retiring due to illness. She broke into the top 20 after her run in the French Open.

At Wimbledon, Peng defeated Kirsten Flipkens in the first round 6–0, 6–4 and reached the third round by defeating local hope Elena Baltacha 4–6, 6–2, 7–5. She defeated Melinda Czink in the third round and faced the 5th seed, Maria Sharapova, in the fourth round, losing to the eventual runner-up in straight sets 6–4, 6–2. After reaching the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, Peng will reach a career high ranking of World No. 17.

After posting good results at the 2011 Western & Southern Open, where she reached the quarterfinals defeating Peer in the 3rd round but then had to retire hurt, Peng reached another career high ranking of World No. 14, before the US Open, where she will be seeded 13th. She is currently competing at the last stop of the US Open Series, the inaugural 2011 Texas Tennis Open. As the No. 1 seed in the draw, she will take on American wildcard Melanie Oudin in the first round. However Peng was forced to withdraw with an injury and therefore a lucky loser was giving her spot.

Seeded 13th at the US Open, Peng defeated Varvara Lepchenko in the first round. She followed this up beating former Wimbledon semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova. She advanced to the fourth round for the first time with a win over 19th seed Julia Görges. She lost to Flavia Pennetta in the round of 16, after holding 4 set points in the second set tiebreak. Even though she had an impressive run in the US Open her ranking fell from 14 to 15.

Peng then received a wildcard into the Bali Commonwealth Championships and drew Nadia Petrova in the quarter-final. She lost to the Russian 6–4 6–3. Despite the loss, she ended her year ranking 15 in the world. 2011 has been the most successful year in her career.

Peng began her year at Auckland as the No.2 seed. In the opening round she defeated qualifier Aravane Rezaï 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 before losing in the second round to Lucie Hradecká 4–6, 3–6.

In the first round of Sydney she lost to Dominika Cibulková 2–6, 6–4, 4–6. Peng next event is the 2012 Australian Open in the first round she drew French wildcard Aravane Rezaï and this time she beat her more comfortably with the score of 6–3, 6–4. However in some what of an upset Peng was beaten in round 2 by Iveta Benešová. Her ranking was not damaged even though she did not defend her 4th round points from last year. She next played Fed cup for China where they were victorious.

Peng then took a month's break from the game and returned to play in the 2012 Mutua Madrid Open. However Peng has not been able to capture the success she got in 2011 and fell in the first round to Czech Lucie Hradecká. In Rome, Peng was beaten in the early rounds of Rome and has seen her ranking drop to number 30 in the world. She next played the warm up tournament to roland garros in Brussels where she has final points to defend. She was seeded 8th and up against Sofia Arvidsson. Peng lost in the first round 7–5, 6–3.

Peng started off her 2013 season by playing in the new 2013 Shenzhen Open where she reached the semi-finals pretty comfortably. She faced fellow Chinese player Li Na where she lost in two sets by the score of 6–4, 6–0. She next played the 2013 Moorilla Hobart International where she lost in the second round in three tight sets. Peng then travelled to Melbourne to compete in the 2013 Australian Open where she won her 1st round easily beating Canadian Rebecca Marino 6–3, 6–0. However her recent dip in form continued when she lost to Russia's Maria Kirilenko 7–5, 6–2.

Peng then set her sights on the clay season and started off having to qualify for the 2013 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She was the number 1 seed in the draw and beat American Jill Craybas 7–5, 6–4. She then lost in the second round of qualifying to a player ranked outside the top 200 and lost in two sets 6–1, 7–5. Peng then travelled to Portugal and was drawn against the top seed Marion Bartoli. Both women where very nervous on the clay and this topsy turvy match ended with Peng winning 6–0, 1–6, 6–4. Her next opponent was Oprandi from Switzerland where she lost again in two sets 6–1, 6–3. Her ranking now sits at 34. In the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open, Peng lost in the first round against American qualifier Christina McHale 5–7, 7–5, 1–6. Peng then travelled to rome for the 2013 Internazionali BNL d'Italia where in the first round she beat Niculescu in three sets 4–6 6–3 6–2. She was wiped in the second by Samantha Stosur 7–6 (5) 6–0. Peng then competed in the 2013 Brussels Open where she beat Arvidsson 6–3 6–0 in the first round. In the second round she defeated Govortsova in three sets 4–6 7–6 7–6. In the quarterfinals Peng upset the American Sloane Stephens6–2 6–3. In only her second semifinal of the season Peng came up against Oprandi and eventually got through 6–4 2–6 6–4. Unfortunately Peng's defeat in finals continued as she lost to Kanepi 6–2 7–5. In the 2013 Roland Garros Peng lost in the 2nd round. After the clay season her ranking is at 25.

At the US Open, Peng made her first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal and semifinal appearances, defeating compatriot Zheng Jie, 4th-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, 28th-seeded Roberta Vinci, 14th-seeded Lucie Safarova, and rising star Belinda Bencic en route, all in straight sets. She lost to 10th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinal. At 6–7, 3–4 down, Peng was forced to retire after she suffered severe cramps due to heat illness and had to be taken off court in a wheelchair.[5] She skipped playing the following Hong Kong Open to recover, but made promotional appearances there.

Won tournament; or reached Final; Semifinal; Quarter-final; Round 4, 3, 2, 1; competed at a Round Robin stage; lost in Qualification Round; absent from tournament event; played in a Davis Cup Zonal Group (with its number indication) or Play-off; won a bronze, silver (F or S) or gold medal at the Olympics; a downgraded Masters Series/1000 tournament (Not a Masters Series); or a tournament that was Not Held in a given year.

To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated either at the conclusion of a tournament, or when the player's participation in the tournament has ended.